Projection and rewinding system for motion-picture projectors



July 22, 1952 L. H. MooMAw PICTURE: PRoJECToRs PROJECTION AND REWINDINGSYSTEM FOR MOTION- 2 SHEETS-SHEET l Filed Oct. 17, 1946 I lll NVENTOR.

LEW/SH. MOOMAW July 22, 1952 L. H. MooMAw PROJECTION AND REWINDINGSYSTEM FOR MOTION-PICTURE PRoJEcToRs Filed oct. 17.11946 2 SHEETS- SHEET2 INVENTOR Ew/s H. MOOMAW @win/XJ Patented July 22, 1952 PROJ ECTION ANDREWINDING SYSTEM FOR MOTION-PICTURE PROJ ECTORS Lewis H. Moomaw, GreatNeck, N. Y., assignor to De Jur-Amsco Corporation, Long Island City, N.Y., a corporation of NewYork Application October 17, 1946, Serial No.'703,807

13 Claims.

The present invention relates to a motion picture projector and moreparticularly to a rotation-'transmission system for the reel supportsthereof.

At the outset it is desirable to denne several terms which will be usedherein. With reference to the projector as a unit, operation is possiblein two directions, one inwhich the lm moves through the projector innormal fashion, herein termed the projection direction, and one inwhichl the film moves through the projector in a Vdirection oppositethereto. `The lm may move inthis'latter direction for two purposesfthenormalfpurpose being that of rewinding projected lm upon itsfs'upplyreel so as to place that reel in condition'forlsubsequent normalprojection,

and the other purpose being to project the filmV through the projectorbackwardly in order to achieve unusual or trick projection effects.Operation of the projector in this direction will herein be termedrewinding, it being understood that the employment of the projector fortrick projection effects is also efectuated by operating the projectorin this direction.

`With reference to a particular reel support, that support'may be saidto rotate either in a direction such as to wind film upon the reelattached thereto or in a direction such as to unwind film from the reelattached thereto. These two directions are herein termed winding andunwinding directions, these two terms being used only when the operationof a single reel arm is under consideration and the words projection andrewinding being used to describe the overall operation of the projector.

In a motion picture projector, and particularly in a home motion pictureprojector likely to be used by operators of widely varying mechanicalskills, certain operational problems are involved, those most pertinentto my present invention being as follows:

1. The reel supports upon which the film reels are placed must bedrivable in a winding direction and must be free to rotate in anunwinding direction.v This is conventionally accomplished by theemployment of uni-directional j transmissive clutches, commonly of thecentrifugal ball type.

2. Such conventional clutches, when any part thereof is operated in anon-transmissive direction at a speed in excess of normal, do not retaintheir non-'transmissive properties and consequently are subject tomalfunctioning and excessive wear. l

3; Projection `in a normal direction must" take 2 place at a speedwhich, while it may be variable, must be a relatively low speeddetermined by the speed at which the pictures on the film were taken andby the optical characteristics of the human eye.

4. The rewinding operation, in which the film is disconnected from thesprocket wheels and runs directly from one reel to another, should takeplace at as high a speed as possible consistent with the strength of thenlm and the structure of the projector, this operation beingV a completewaste of time insofar as the entertainment or educational value of theprojector is n concerned.

5. The factors limiting the speed at which projection in a normaldirection may be made'v similarly limit the speed at which projection ina reverse direction from normal must be made. Such projection must,therefore, be made at the relatively low speed referred to in paragraphNo. 3 above.

6. The operators of a projector in which a special high speed isprovided for rewinding often switch to that high speed for the rewindingoperation, rethread the lm over the sprocket wheels and through theprojector, and forget to switchl to low speed before starting the motorin a di-l rection for normal projection, in which case projection isattained at the high speed with attendant strains and excessive wear onthe lm and on the operating mechanism of the projector.

It is a prime object of the present invention to provide a substantiallyfool-proof projector in which a speed higher than that used in normalprojection may be used for the rewinding operation without excessivewear or breakage of clutches and without excessive strain on the film.

It is a further prime object of the present invention to provide asubstantially fool-proof projector capable of operation at normalv speedfor projection both in normal and reverse direction and capable of highspeed operation only for rewinding, and to provide such a projectorV inwhich a shift from projection to rewinding direction maintains normallow speed transmission unless the operator positively shifts to highspeed and in which a shift from rewinding direction to projectiondirection automatically shifts the projector from high speed to lowspeed irrespective of any action or the part of the operator.

lt is a further object of the p-resent invention,

to attain the above objects in a .projector having both directions ofrotation.

a motor which operates ata single speedV foi'.

lack of action onv It is yet another object of the present invention toattain the above objects by speed-selection means and clutches whichfeature positive connection and disconnection in contradistinction tothe employment of frictional connecting means, such as cork or rubber,which have frequently been employed heretofore.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing objects and such other objects asmay hereinafter appear, the present invention relates to the motionpicture projector rotation-transmission system as sought to be definedin theappended claims and as described in this specification, takentogether with the drawings appended thereto, in which:

Fig. l is a perspective View of a motion picture projector embodying myinvention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective schematic View of the rotation-transmissionsystem thereof;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional View, with parts broken away, of the lowerreel support and part ofthelowerreel varm Fig.- 4 is a side view-of,thedrivenymember of the lower reel arm assembly;

Fig. 5 is an end view thereof;

Fig. 6 is an end View, partially cross-sectioned, of the ,driving`member ofthe lower reel arm assembly;

Fig. 7- is a view thereof taken .along the line 1--1 ofFig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a View thereof taken along the 8--8 of Fig. 6; Y

Fig. 9 is a pa-rtially cross-sectioned view of the speed-selection meansembodied herein;

Fig- 10 is an end view, partially cross-sectioned, of the driven meansenclosed in the broken line Ill-.'-lof Fig. 9; Y*

Fig. v,1l is a side view, partially cross-sectioned, of thei'manualactuating means for the speedselection means; and

line

Fig. 12 is an end view taken along the line l2 -.-|2 of Fig. 11.

The transmission system Broadly described, and having referencer onlytothe features thereof pertinent to the inventifQrlr herein claimed, myprojector comprises a pair of reel supports, generally designated A andB., on which nlm reels are adapted to be placed for rotation, the lowerreel support A being hereinafter termed the projection reel supportbecause when the film is wound upon the reel attached thereto theprojector is operating in its projection or normal direction, and theupper reel support B beingy hereinafter termed the rewinding reelsupport'because when film is wound upon` the reel vattached thereto theprojector is operating in its rewinding direction.

Clutches A and B' connect their respective reel supports A and B to theremainder of the transmission system, generally designated C, and shownin perspective schematic in Fig. 2. Each of the clutches A and B' is soconstructed as to transmit rotation from the transmission system C toits respective reel sup-port A or B only when such reel support wouldthereby be rotated in afwinding direction, and to render said reelsupport B. rotatable and said reel support A freely rotatable withrespect to the speed of rotation of the transmission system C when saidreel support A or B is rotated in an unwinding direction. ThesedirectionsY are so coordinated Withthe direction of rotation of thetransmission system C that when the transmission system C is rotating insuch a direction as to operate the projector in a projection direction,the projection reel support A is driven in a winding direction and therewinding reel support B is able to rotate in an unwinding direction,and when the transmission system C is rotating in a direction such as todrive the projector in a rewnding direction, the rewinding reel supportB is driven in its winding direction and the projection reel support Ais free to rotate in an unwinding direction.

The clutch B' may be of conventional centrifugal ball construction, butthe clutch A is specially formed, as later described herein in detail,because it may, `by reason of the speed selection means Din thetransmission system C, be rotated during Ythe rewinding operation at aspeed far in excess of that to which conventional clutches may besubjected.

The speed selec-tion means D comprises a driven means E alternativelyconnectable to a high speed part .F or to a low speed part G of thetransmission system C. A manually operated means, generally designatedH, is effective to connect the driven means E to the high speed part Fonly when the transmission system C is rotating in a rewindingdirection, and a control means J on the driven means E and the highspeed part F is eifective to prevent the engagement of those two partswhenthe transmission system is operating in a windingd-irection even ifthe manually operated means H is suitably actuated and to vautomaticallyensure the disconnection of the driven means E fromv the high speed partF and the connection of said driven means E to the low speed part G uponthe reversal of the direction of rotation of the transmission system Cfrom rewinding to projection.

If, duringr the rewinding operation, the manually operated meansH beactuated to connect the driven means E to the high speed part F, therewinding reel support B will be driven at an exceedingly high speed andconsequently the projection reel support A must ybe free to rotate at arate of rotation in excess of the rate of rotation of the rewinding reelsupport B, the excess speed being attained when the rewinding reelcontains' more film tha-n the projection reel. Such speeds are, as hasbeen mentioned, far in excess of those to which the conventionalcentrifugal ball clutch may be subjected. Accordingly, the clutch A isof special construction in which no centrifugal or frictional action isrelied upon to connect and disconnect the clutch A from driving relationto its reel support A, but in which connection is positively severed ormade within the clutch.

To this end the clutch comprises a driving means K, a driven means Lattached to the projection reel support A, an idler means M and controlmeans N and P, the former on driving means K and driven means L and thelatter on driving means K and idler means M, sensitive to the directionof rotation of the driving means K in such a manner that when thedriving means K is rotated in a direction for winding of projection reelsupport A, the driving means K is automatically connected to the drivenmeans L, and when the driving means K is rotated in a direction forunwinding the projection reel support A, the driving means K ispositively disconnected from the driven means L and is connected to theidler means M.

By the above described combination of transmission system C, clutches Aand B' and speed selection means D, the previously described problemsand objects are respectively solved and' attained by means of amechanism largely automatic in operation and substantially fool-proof.

General description of the projector The projector as illustrated (seeFig. l) com--y prises a base 2 including switches 4, 6 and 8 forcontrolling the illumination, the operation of the motor, and thedirection of operation thereof respectively, on which is tiltablymounted the project-or housing proper including a motor housing I inwhich is mounted the driving motor for the projector (not shown), a fanhousing I2, a lamp housing i4 in which is mounted the projection lamp(not shown) a projection machinery housing I6, a gear box housing I8 inwhich is housed the speed selection means D and part of the transmissionsystem C, a pair of reel arms 20 and .22 at the extremities of which aremounted the reelsupports A and B, a projection lens assembly 24 andapair of sprocket Wheel assemblies 26 and 28 for controlling the passageof the nlm past the projection lens assembly 24 during projection.

All of the above mentioned elements may be of conventional construction.A more detailed description oi certain of them may be found in mycopending applications No. 703,806 of October 17, 1946, now Patent No,2,495,018 of January 17, 1950, and No. 703,808 of October 1'7, 1946, nowPatent No. 2,468,993 of May 3, 1949, and in my Patent No. 2,440,966 ofMay 4, 1948. Y

Fig. 2 illustrates the path of transmission derived ,from the projectormotor as itpasses to the active rotating elements o f the projector, toWit, the reel supports A and B and the sprocket wheel assemblies 26 and28. Rotation of the motor is transmitted by suitable gearing (not shown)to a drive `shaft 30 an end of Which projects through the front of thegear box housing I8 and to which is attached control knob 32, byrotation of Which, when the motor is stopped, any desired frame of themotion picture may be presented for projection. Worm 34 on the shaft 30is geared with Worm Wheel 36 to which is attached for simultaneous`rotation sprocket wheel 38 and gear 46. The shaft (not shown) aboutwhich they rotate has one end mounted in bearing 4| an-d has its otherend projecting through the gear box nous- .ing and carrying sprocketWheel 28, which it drives in rotation. Sprocket chain 42 meshes withsprocket wheel 38 and is lead by means of guide rollers 44 and 46 to thedriving means K of the clutch A', With which it meshes by means ofsprocket wheel 48.

Each guide roller 44, 46 is mounted on a shaft 50 by means of bushing 52so as to be rotatable thereon, the shaft being rigidly mounted in a Wall54 of the reel arm 26 (see Fig. 3)

Gear 46 meshes with idler gear 56 which in turn meshes With gear 58 ofthe low speed part G of the speed selection means D, which gear is ofthe same diameter as gear 4i). Thus gears 40 and 58 rotate at the samespeed.

Idler gear 5B is rigidly attached to shaft '60 to the other end of whichis rigidly attached gear 62, of a diameter larger than gear 56. Gear 62meshes with gear 64 of the high speed part F of the speed selectionmeans D.

As thus far described, rotation of drive shaft 30 in any direction atany speed will rotate gears 40 and 58 and sprocket Wheel 48, each in agiven direction and atv the samespeed and Will rotate gear 64 in thesame direction as gear 58 but at a speed greater than thatof gear 58,Ythe difference in'speed being determined by the gear ratio employed andbeing a matter of choice. I have found it quite practicable to rotategear 64 approximately four times as rapidly as gear 58.

To the driven means E of the speed selection means D (Which,-as has beenexplained above,

may be connected either to the high speed part F or the 10W speed part Gwhen that system is rotating in a rewinding direction, and can only beconnected to the low speed part G when the transmission system isrotating in a projection direction) is attached sprocket Wheel 66 whichengages with sprocket chain 68 which in turn, after passing over guiderollers 10 and '12, makes connection with sprocket wheel 'i4 of theclutch B', thus connecting the clutch B in driven relation to theldriven means E of the speed selection means D.

If the transmission system C is rotating in a projection direction,v thedriven means E Will be connected to the low speed part G and will thusdrive the clutch B at that low speed. Since for projection the rewindingreelvsupport B must be free to rotate, the clutch B' Will not transmitthis motion to the reel support B. The clutch A', however, will transmitits rotation, as imparted by sprocket chain 42, tothe projection reelsupport A which reel support will thus be driven in a direction forwinding film upon itself. Upon reversal of the direction of rotation ofthe trans-` mission system C, the-rewinding reel support B will then bedriven, by clutch B', sprocket chain 63, driven means D and the lowspeed part G at a low speed and the clutch A', now being driven in anunwinding direction insofar as projection reel support A is concerned,will be free to rotate Without transmitting that rotation to the reelsupport A. t Y Y However, when the transmission system C is operating ina rewinding direction and the driven means E is connected, by actuationof the manually operated means H, to the high speed part F of the speedselection means D, the rewinding reel support B will thereupon be drivenat an increased speed. thus speeding the rewinding operation. The clutchA' will still be drivenat the low speed, but, by reason of the positivesevering of connection above described, the projection reel support AWill be permitted to rotate in an un- Winding direction at anexceedingly high speed.

It will be noted that the active parts of the sprocket Wheel assemblies26 and 28 are attached respectively to the gears 58 and 40 forsimultaneous rotation therewith. Since both of these gears constantlyrotate at low speed, the sprocket Wheel assemblies 26 and 26 will alsorotate at low speed, thus makinginecessary the removal of the iilm fromthe sprocket Wheels when rewinding is to take place, Vbut not makingnecessary the removal of the lm from the sprocket wheels when projectionin the reversed direction at normal or low speed is desired.

Clutches The clutches A and B' are, as has previously been explained,provided in the projector in order that the appropriate reel support Aor B might be driven in a Winding direction but be free to rotate in anunwinding direction. Since projection occurs only at low speed, andsince only in that operation does the rewinding reel support B atteler;

rotate in an unwinding direction, therewinding reel supportgB is notcalled upon to be freely rotatable atan excessively high speed.Furthermore-since during projection the speed selection means D isautomatically connected to the low speed part G, the clutch B is drivenin an unwinding direction only at low speed. Therefore, the clutch Bneed only be of l,conventional construction.

On the other hand, during the rewinding operation the projection reelsupport A will, if the speed selection means D be shifted to high speed,rotate so rapidly as to prohibit the employment of a conventionalclutch.

The novel construction of my clutch A is shown in detail in Figs. 3through 8. Fig. 3 shows the .clutch A and the reel support A mounted inthe lower extremity of the reel arm 20. The reel support A is ofconventional construction and comprises a shaft 'l5 rotatably mounted inbushing T8 in the lower extremity of reel arm 20 and having fastened tothe outer end thereof a support 80 and retaining lever 82 pivotableabout pin S4. The interior of the support S contains a detent ball S6pressed into engagement with the retaining lever 82 by means of spring88, all in conventional manner. In order to inhibit overrunning of thereel support A, the reel arm 20 and bushing 18 are recessed at Sii and9| in order to permit plug 92, pressed upward by spring 94 compressedbetween itself and plug 96, to bear against the shaft 16 and provide africtional drag thereon.

The inner end of the shaft "le projects into a recess S8 in the lowerextremity of the reel arm 2,9 which houses the clutch A. Fastened to theinner end of the shaft 16 by means of set-screw |00 cooperating withnotch |02 in the shaft is the driven means L, illustrated in detail inFigs. 4 and 5. Washer |04 between the driven means L and the bushing 18prevents axial play of the shaft 10.

In the embodiment here shown, the driven means L comprises a hub adaptedto t over and engage with the shaft 1S by means of setscrew |90 ininternally threaded radial aperture |08. To the hub is attached, as bystaking |09, an actuator plate comprising a pair of radially extendingarms |0, I0 at the extremities of which are fingers |12, ||2 whichdefine that part of the control means N on the driven means L. Thesefingers are shaped as circumferential strips of a circle whose center isthe center of the shaft 'H5 and the tips of those fingers are bent outfrom their bases in a direction parallel to the axis of the shaft 16 soas to project inwardly into the recess B8.

Freely rotatable and axially slidable on the shaft 'IS is the drivingmeans K, shown in Fig. 3 in its Ydirection farthest to the left. Thedriving means K may comprise a hub ||4 centrally orificed-at IHS so asto receive therein the inner end of the shaft '16. Fastened to that endof Vthe hub i4 nearest the driven means L is the driver plate ||8 havinga plurality of projecting teeth |20 which cooperate with the fingers H2,||2' on the driven means L and denne that part of the control means N onthe driving means K. Rotatable on the hub H4, but connected to it byspring thrust washer |22, is sprocket wheel V4i, which is rotated bymeans of sprocket chain 42 and rotation of which is transmitted viaspring thrust washer |22 to the hub ||4 of the driving means K.

When the driving means -K is in its `position as `shown in Fig. 3 and isrotated in a direction 8 such that the teeth |20 are brought intocontact with the 1protruding ends of the fingers ||2 of the driven meansL (in the manner shown by arrows |24 of Fig. 5), the driven means L willbe driven thereby and thus the projection -reel support A will berotated in a winding direction. Should the direction of rotation of thedriving means K be reversed, the teeth |20 will pass over the fingers||2, |2 in a direction opposite from that shown by the arrows |24 ofFig. 5 and will consequently ride up on the inclined surfaces thereof,this camming action being facilitated byl a slight cooperatinginclination of the lface of each 4tooth |20, as may be seen best in Fig.v6. Since the Adrivingmeans K is axially -slidableon the Vshaft 16, thiscamming action will result in a motion of the driving means K away fromthe driven means L to an extent sufficient to positively 4sever allconnection between thev ,two

means.

In order to help fix both the right hand and left hand positions of thedriving mea-ns K, its hub ||4 .is radially orificed at |26 and in thatorifice is disposed detent ball |28 and compression spring |30 retainedin the orifice |26 by retainer Wire |32 secured in groove |34. Thedetent ball |28 cooperates with a pairA of circumferential grooves |38and |38 in the inner end of the shaft 'I6 (seeFig. 3).

Attached to that end of the hub ||4 farthest from the driven means L isthatpart of the driving means K adapted to engage and cooperate with theidler means M. lt is here shown as an actuator plate similar to that ofthe driven means L and comprising radial arms ||3, H3' and protrudingarcuate fingers |5, l5', as best shown in Fig. 8.

The idler means M is mounted in the lower extremity of -the reel arm 20coaxial With the driving means K and disposed on that side thereofopposite from the driven means L. It is here shown as capable ofYrotation in one direction only corresponding to the unwinding directionof the reel support A, this being achieved by an adaptation of theconventional ball clutch. and more specifically, by providing a cup |40fixed to the reel arm 20 within which, on shaft |42. hub |44 isrotatable. Attached to the hub |44 for rotation therewith is spider |46comprising a plurality of inclined paths |48 on which balls |50 aredesigned to travel. If the hub |44 rotates in one direction, the balls|50 are directed inwardly along the inclined paths |48 and hence do notcome in Contact with the stationary cup I4!! within which they rotate,thus permitting rotation of the spider |45. Upon attempted rotation ofthe hub |44 in the other direction, however, the balls will be directedoutwardly along their inclined paths until they come in contact with thestationary cup |43, as shown in Fig. 3. When this occurs, furtherattempts at rotation of the hub |44 serve merely to jam the ball betweenthe inclined paths |48 and the cup |40, rotation being thus positivelyprevented.

Also attached to the hub |44 and the spider |46 is plate |52 providedwith a plurality 0f teeth |54 projecting inwardly toward the drivingmeans K in a position to be engaged by the protruding fingers I5, l5 onthe driving means K. The action between the teeth |54 and the lingers|I5, H5 on .the driving means K, which two between them comprise thecontrol means P, is quite similar to the interaction between theelements of the control means N except that the di- .9.. j rectionofwrotaton effective for connection and disconnection are reversed. l

From the above description the operation of this clutch A will beapparent. When the transmission system C Imoves the sprocket chain 42 soas to rotate the sprocket gear 48 of the drivlng means K in a directionsuitable for a winding operation of projection reel support A(projection direction), the driving means K will be in ,engagement withthe driven means L (the teeth |20 will bear against the projectingrtipsof the fingers ||2, ||2, as shown by arrows |24) and the driven means Land therefore the reel support A will be driven.

Should the direction of rotation of the transmission system C bereversed (to rewinding direction). the sprocket gear 48 will be rotatedin the opposite direction, the driving means K will rotate in theopposite direction, the teeth |20 will ride up along the inclinedsurfaces of the fingers H2, ||2 on the driven means L and the drivingmeans K'will thereby be moved to the right, positively breakingconnection between itself 'and the driven means L and thus enabling .theprojection reel support Ato unwind at any speed. At the same time thefingers 5, on the driving means K will engage withv .the teeth |54 onthe idler means M to rotate the? same.

Should the direction of rotation of the transmission system C be againreversed (back to projection direction), the sprocket wheel 4.8 andconsequently the driving means K will once again be rotated in theiroriginal direction. But lby reason of its construction the idler means Mwill not rotate in thatdirection land consequently the teeth |54 thereonwill act against the inclined surfaces of the `fingers IIE, H5 on thedriving means K, thus forcing it to the left, breaking connectionbetween the idler means and the driving means, and remaking connectionbetween the driving means K and the driven means L and thusautomatically reconnecting the'projection reel support A to thetransmission system C so that the reel support A may be driven in awinding direction.

,Speed selection means As has been above described, it is desired toprovide -a two-speed transmission system in which the high speed may beused only for rewinding and in which a change in projector directionfrom rewinding to projection will automatically result in a shift fromhigh to low speed. H

Details of the construction which accomplishes this may be seen in Figs.9 through l2. A shaft |56 is mounted in the gear box housing I8 with oneend in bearing |68 and the other projecting through' the housing fordriving the sprocket wheel 26 attached thereto. Inside the gear boxhousing I8 is the low speed part G of the speed selection means D whichcomprises the gear 58 and-a hub |58 attached thereto and also attachedto shaft |56 for simultaneous rotation therewith by means of set-screw|60 receivable in radial orifice |62 of the hub |58 and active upon thenotched portion |64 of the shaft |56. The hubv |58 is provided with oneor more pro` jecting teeth |66 with which the driven means E maybeengaged, as shall hereinafter appear.

Mounted in independently rotatable fashion on the end of the shaft |56in bearing |68 is the high speed part F of the speed selection means l),comprising the gear 64` anda hub `|10 to which Ais attached anactuator'plate |12 carrying a pair of oppositely vdisposed, projectinglugs |14, |14. Axial movement of the high speed part F on the shaft v|56is prevented by action of retaining ring |16 on the rim |18.

The driven means E comprises'a hub |80 oriced at |82 so as to receivetherein theshaft |56 in such a manner that the driven means E isindependentlyrotatable upon said shaft |56 and is also axially slidablethereover so as to take up a left yhand position (see Fig. 9) and aright hand position, positioning beingffacilitated by the cooperation ofdetent ball |28', spring |30', retainer wire |32 and radial orifice |26in the hub |80 and the two radial grooves |36 and |38 in the shaft |56in the same manner as has already been explained with refer- .ence tosimilar parts in the driving means K of the clutch A. Y l To the hub|80, on the side adjacent to the low speed part G, is attached a plate|84 which carries a plurality of projecting teeth |86 adapted, when thedriven means E is inY its left hand position, to be engaged by thecooperating teethA |66 on the low speed part G so that the driven meansE may be rotated in either` direction by the low speed part GfSprocketlwheel 66 is attached to the hub, |88 for rotation therewith andthereby motion of the driven meansE is imparted to the sprocket chain 68which connects the clutch B' thereto.

Attached to the hub |86 at the end thereof facing the high speed part Fis a cup-shaped member |88 bearing on its Yend an inclined cam surface|98 extending over only a portion lof the periphery of the cup-shapedmember |88 and terminating in shoulderV |92. In the embodiment hereillustrated, two such cam surfaces |96 and shoulders |92 are shown.Washer |93 retains cup |88 on hub |88.

The incline surfaces |90, shoulders |92, and projecting lugs |14, |14comprise the control means J. y

When the driven means E is in its left hand position in engagement withthe low speed part G, it rotates freely with respect to the high speedpart F, a clearance being provided between the high points of theinclined surfaces |90 ofthe driven means E and the projecting lugs |14,|14 on the high speed part F. However, when the driven means E is in itsright hand position, and when thehigh speed part'F is rotating inrewinding direction, the projecting lugs |14, |14 will move into contactwith the shoulders |92 on the driven means E, thus driving it inrotation, connection between the projections |66 of the low speed part Fand the teeth |86'of the driven means E being severed by the motion ofthe driven means from its left hand to its right hand position.

Should the direction of rotation of the high speed part F be reversed,the lugs |14, |14 would be driven along the inclined cam surfaces |98 ofthe driven means E and the driven means E would thereby be axially movedfrom its right to its left hand position, severing connection betweenitself and the high speed part F and making connection between itselfand the low speed part G.

The driven means E may be manually moved to connection with the highspeed part Fby means of sdewise pressure applied to pressure plate |94,which is loosely attached to hub so as to be axially slidable withrespect thereto,

but resi-liently forced toits left Vhand position-'by spring washer |99.

' Should an attempt be made to connect the driven means E to the highspeed part F'while the projector is operating in aprojection direction,the interaction of the lugs |14, |14' on the inclined surfaces |99 willnot permit engagement. Therefore the pressure applied to the pressureplate |94 will be taken up by the spring washer |96, and the drivenmeans E will remain connected to the low speed part G. However, shouldthe projector be operating in a rewinding direction, pressure applied tothe pressure plate |94 will move the driven means E to the right andthe-- lugs |14, |`|4`l of the high speed part F'will engage With theshoulders |92 on the driven means E.

The manually operated means H which may apply pressure to thepressureplate |94 is illustrated in detail in Figs. 11 and l2. Itcomprises a shaft |98 mounted in the front cover |99 of the gear boxhousing I8 one end of which projects outwardly therefrom and hasconnected to it-the control knob 299. The inner end of the shaft |98 hasattached thereto a control plate 292 provided with a projecting pressurefinger 294. Spring 296, one end ofl which is secured within the frontcover |99 and the other end of which is active upon shoulder 298 of theplate 292, serves to maintain the pressure finger 294 in inoperativeposition, that position being here determined by the cooperation ofprojection 2|9 of the gear box housing I9 with shoulder 2|2 of the plate292. Should the knob 299 be rotated until the shoulder 298 comes intocontact with the projection 2|9, the ringer 294 will be moved from itsinoperative position to an operative position in which it exertssideward pressure upon the pressure plate |94 in a direction such as tourge the driven means E into connection with the high speed part F. Y Y

The construction as.v above described will operate as follows: Thedriven means E will normally be in its left hand position connected toand driven by the lowV speed part G and, in the absence of positiveaction by the operatonrwill remain in that position irrespectiveofthedirection of rotation of the low speed part G. During rewinding,rotation of the knob 299 will move the driven means E to the right outof engagement with the low speed part G and into engagement with thehigh speed partAF to be driven thereby. Should the direction of rotationof the projector be then reversed from rewinding to projection, thecontrol means J will automatically, without the necessity of any actionon the part of the operator, force the driven means E tothe left out ofengagement with the high speed part F' and into engagement with the lowspeed part G. Should the operator, while the projector is operating in aprojection direction, attempt inadvertently or through ignorance toconnect the driven means E to the high speed part F, the. control meansJ will not permit such action and thefrction washer |96 will preventdamage to thexsp'eed selection means D.

By providing in a single motion picture `projector the two-speed,two-'directional transmis-V sion system C, the fool-proof anddirectionally sensitive speed selection means D and the direcf' tionallysensitive clutch A' in Whichconnection is" made and broken, I havesucceeded in devising a.' projector particularly suitable for operationby' inexperienced persons which provides projection' in either thenormal or opposite direction at a low or projection speed and permitsthe' time-consuming rewinding' operation to be carried out at high speedor at normal speed, at the option of the operator, all of this beingaccomplished by means of a single and durable structure capable ofoperation at its designed speeds without being subject to excessive wearor breakage.

It Will be apparent that many variations in detail may be made in myprojector withoutdeparting from the'spirit of the invention as sought tobe defined in the following claims.

I claim:

l. A motion picture projector comprising a projector frame, a pair ofreel supports rotatably mounted thereon, a two-speed two-directionaltransmission system having a high speed and a low speed, manual meansoperatively connected to said transmission system and effective toselect the direction of rotation of said transmission system, clutchmeans independent of said manual means and automatically responsive tothe direction of rotation of said transmission system operable toconnect one of said reel supports to the low speed of said transmissionsystem when the transmission system is rotating in a direction such thatthe reel support is thereby rotated for winding lm on itself andoperable to positively sever connection between the' two when thedirection of rotation of the transmission system is reversed, said reelsupport being thereby rendered freely rotatable, and additionalindependent means operable to connect the other of said reel supports toeither of the two speeds of said transmission system when thetransmission system is rotating in a direction such that said other reelsupport is thereby rotated for winding lm on itself.

2. A motion picture projector comprising a projector frame, a pair ofreel supports rotatably mounted thereon, a two-speed two-directionaltransmission system having a high speed and a low speed, manual meansoperatively connected to said transmission system and effective toselect the direction of rotation of said transmission system, automaticmeans independent of said manual means and responsive to the directionof rotation of said transmission system operable to connect one of saidreel supports to the low speed of said transmission system when thetransmission system is rotating in a direction such` that the reelsupport is thereby rotated for winding film on itself and operable topositively and automatically sever connection between the two when thedirection of rotation of the transmission system is reversed, said reelsupport be*- ing thereby rendered freely rotatable, means including aclutch means automatically ordinarily connecting the other of said reelsupports to theV low-speed of said transmission system when thetransmission system is rotating in `a direction such that said otherreel support is thereby rotated for winding film on itself, andvadditional independent manual means to connect said other reel supportto the high speed of said transmis'- sion system eective only when saidltransmission system is rotating in a direction such that said other reelsupport is thereby rotated for winding film on itself.

3. A motion picture projector comprising a projector frame, a pair ofreel supports rotata-bly mounted thereon, a two-speed two-directionaltransmission system havng a high speed and a lovv speed, automatic meansresponsive to .the direction of rotation of saidA transmission systemoperable to connect one of said reel supports to the low speedv of saidtransmission system when the transmission system is rotating in adirection such that the reel support is thereby rotated for winding lmon itself and operable to positively and automatically sever connectionbetween the two when the direction of rotation of the transmissionsystem is reversed, said reel supportbeing thereby rendered freelyrotatable, means including a clutch meansau'tomatically ordinarilyconnecting the other of said reel supports to the low speed of saidtransmissionsystem when the transmission system is rotating inadirection such that said other reel supportis thereby rotated forwinding i'llm on itself, manual means to connect said other reel supportto the high speed of said transmission system effective only when thetransmission system is rotating in a direction such that said other reelsupport is thereby rotated for Winding film on itself, and automaticcontrol means operable automatically when the direction of rotation ofthe transmission system is reversed therefrom to'dis'connect saidYclutch means from said high speed and connect it to said low speed.

, 4. A motion picture projector comprising a projector frame, a reelsupport mounted thereon for two-directional rotation, a two-speedtransmission system having a high speed part and a low speed part,clutch means 'active upon said reel support so as to drive it in onedirection and to permit it to rotate in the other direction, meansconnecting said clutch means in driven relation to said high speed partof thev transmission system eiective only when the reel support would bedriven thereby, and control means responsive to the direction 'ofrotation of said transmission system for automatically disconnectingsaid clutch means from said high speed part when said clutch 'means isdriven in the other direction.

5. A motion picture projector comprising a projector frame,V areelsupport mounted thereon for two-directional rotation, a two-speedtransmission system having a high speed part and a low speed part,clutch means active upon said reel support so as to drive it in onedirection and to permit it to rotate in the other direction. meansconnecting saidclutch means in driven relation to said'high speed parteffective only when the clutch means would be driven thereby in thedirection for driving the reel support, and control means responsive tothe direction of rotation of said transmission system for automaticallydisconnecting said clutch means from said high speed part and connectingsaid clutch means drive it in a direction for rewinding and to permit indriven relation to said low speed part when said clutch means is drivenin the other direction.

6. A motion picture projector comprising av projector frame, a reelsupport mounted thereon for two-directional rotation, a two-speedtransmission system having a low speed part and a high speed part,clutch means active upon said reel support so as to -drive it in onedirection and to permit it to rotate in the other direction, manuallyactuated means connecting said clutch means in driven relation to saidhigh speed part eiective only when the reel support would be driventhereby in a direction suitable for a rewinding operation, and automaticcontrol means responsive to the direction of rotation of saidtransmission system for disconnecting said clutch means from said highspeed part and connecting said clutch means in driven relation to saidlow it to'rotate in a direction for projection, means effective whensaid transmission system is operating in directions for projection andrewinding forconnecting said clutch means in driven relation to the lowspeed part of said transmission system, means effective only when saidtransmission system is operating in a direction for rewinding forconnecting said clutch means in driven relation to the high speed partof Said transmission system, and control means responsive to thedirection of rotation of said transmission system for automaticallydisconnecting said clutch means from driven relation with said highspeed part when the transmission system changes direction from that forrewinding to that for projection. Y

8. A motion picture projector comprising a projector frame, a reelsupport 'mounted thereon for two-directional rotation, a two-speedtransmission system having a low speed part and a highv speed part, saidtransmission system being capable of operation in directions forprojection and rewinding operations respectively, clutch means activeupon said reel support so as to drive it in a direction for rewindingand to permit it to rotate in a direction for projection, automaticmeans effective when said transmission system is operating in directionsfor projection and rewinding for connecting said clutch means in drivenrelation to the low speed part of said transmission system, manual meanseffective only when said transmission system is operating in a directionfor rewinding for connecting said clutch means in driven relation to thehigh speed part of said transmission system, and automatic control meansfor disconnecting said clutch means responsive to the direction ofrotation of said transmission system from driven relation with said highspeed part and connecting it in driven relation with said low speed partwhen the transmission system changes directionv from that for rewindingto that for projection.

9. In a motion picture projector comprising a projector frame, a reelsupport mounted thereon for two-directional rotation, clutch meansactive upon said reel support so as to drive it in one direction and topermit it to rotate in the other direction; the combination of atwo-speed transmission system comprising a low speed driving means and ahigh speed driving means coaxial therewith, a driven means connected tosaid clutch means slidable between said two driving means, manual meansoperable when said transmission system is rotating in one direction tomove said driven means into engagement with said high speed drivingmeans, and control means on said driven means and said high speeddriving means operable when the direction of rotation of said drivingmeans is reversed to move said driven means away from and out ofengagement with said high speed driving means and into engagement withsaid low speed driving means.

10. In a motion picture projector comprising a projector frame, a reelsupport mounted thereon for two-directional rotation, and clutch meansactive upon said reel support so as to drive it in one direction and topermit it to rotate in the other direction; the'combination of atwo-speed transmission system comprising alow speed driving wheel and ahigh speed driving wheel coaxial therewith, a driven Wheel connected tosaid clutch means coaxial with and axially slidable between said twodriving wheels, manual means operable when said transmission system isrotating in one direction to move said driven wheel into engagement withsaid high speed driving wheel, and control means on said driven wheeland said highspeed driving wheel Operable when the direction of`rotation of said transmission system isreversed to move said drivenwheel axially away from and out of engagement with said high speeddriving wheel and into engagement with said low speed driving wheel,

11. A motion picture projector comprising a projector frame, a reelsupport mounted thereon for'l two-directional rotation, a rotationtransmission system for said reel support, and a clutch connecting saidtransmission system and said reel support,v in which said clutchcomprises a two-directionally rotatable and axially movable drivingmeans, a two-directionally rotatable driven means attached to said reelsupport, a one-directionally rotatable idler means, said driven and saididler means being oppositely axially disposed with respect to saiddriving means, control means on said driven means active to engage withcooperating means on said driving means and connect the driven means indriven relation therewith when said driving means is rotated in onedirection and active to move said 'driving means axially away from andout of engagement with said driven means and into engagement with saididler means when said driving means is rotated in the oppositedirection, said idler means being rotatable only in said oppositedirection, and additional control means on said idler means to axiallymove said driving means back toward and into engagement with said drivenmeans and out of engagement with said idler means when said drivingmeans is again rotated in its original direction.

12. A clutch comprising a two-directionally rotatable and axiallymovable driving means, a rotatable driven means, an idler meansrotatable only in one direction, said driven and said idler means beingoppositely disposed with respect to saiddriving means, means on saiddriving means 1-6 coaoting with means on said driven means to drivingl'yconnect said two means when said driving means is rotated in onedirection and to cause said driving meansY to move axially away from andout of engagement with said driven means and into engagement with saididler means when said driving means is rotated in the opposite directionand additional means on said driving means active in conjunction withmeans on said idler means to connect the two in driving relationshipwhen said driving means is rotated in said opposite direction, thisbeing the only direction in which said idler means is rotatable, and formoving sa-id driving means axially away from and out of engagement withsaid idler Ameansl and into engagement with said driven means when saiddriving means is again rotated in its original direction.

13. In a motion picture projector comprising a projector frame, a reel'support mounted thereon for two-directional rotation, clutch meansactive uponsaid reel support so as to drive it in one direction and topermit it to rotate in the other direction; the combination of atwo-speed transmission system comprising a low speed driving meansl anda high speed driving means coaxial therewith, a driven means drivinglyconnected to said clutch means and slidable between said two driving.means, manual means operable when said transmission system is rotatingin one direction to move said driven means into engagement with saidhigh speed driving means, and control means on said driven moans andsaid high speed driving means operable when the direction of rotating ofsaid driving means is reversed to move said driven means away from andout of engagement with said high speed driving means.

LEWIS H. MOOMAW.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,234,136 Connor et al July 24,1917 1,310,211 Philpot July l5, 1919 1,861,584 Readeker et al June 7,1932 2,049,944 Carpenter Aug. 4, 1936 2,158,873 Kaltwasser May 16, 19392,196,738 Nagel Apr. 9, 1940 2,217,183 Ross Oct. 8, 1940 2,245,017Sinclair June 10, 1941

